AthFest Educates recently awarded nearly $20,000 in music and arts grants for 13 Clarke County School District schools for purchasing instruments, providing professional development opportunities and supporting workshops and field trips.

“With AthFest Educates’ support, we have expanded access to the arts for our students – and have two years in a row been named one of the nation’s strongest communities in music education,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue. “AthFest Educates has been a strong community partner, and they have made a real difference in the overall educational experience of our students.”

In addition to the 17 grants for schools, AthFest Educates also awarded over $2,000 to the University of Georgia’s Office of Service Learning to help support Experience UGA for all 500 Clarke County third-graders. Through this, students will attend the live theater performance of “The Parrot” by the UGA Children’s Theater Troupe. Teachers are provided with pre- and post-show activities and assessment tools.

"AthFest Educates is thrilled to be supporting the Fall 2014 grantees,” said Executive Director Jill Helme. "These professionals did a phenomenal job representing how funding from AthFest Educates would help advance their instruction and student learning. We're inspired by their commitment to the young people of Athens-Clarke County."